Hemolytic uremic syndrome - what is it?

Hemolytic-uremic syndrome is a whole symptom complex, which manifests itself in the form of hemolytic anemia, acute renal failure and thrombocytopenia. This disease was first described in 1955. According to experts, in approximately 70% of cases, this diagnosis is observed in children of the very first year of life, and in adults only isolated incidents are recorded. In this article we will talk about this disease, and also consider how hemolytic-uremic syndrome is treated with modern methods.

hemolytic uremic syndrome
Top reasons

Experts associate the development of this disease with several factors. First of all, this is a viral toxic damage directly to the endothelium of the capillaries of the so-called renal glomeruli. On the other hand, the reason can lie in both the DIC and mechanical damage to red blood cells. It is generally believed that the latter can be damaged when passing through the capillaries of the renal glomeruli themselves, which in turn are filled with clots of fibrin.

Main symptoms

Hemolytic uremic syndrome mainly occurs in children with a rapid decrease in diuresis, but in the absence of obvious signs of dehydration and against the background of relatively normal parameters of VEO. If the baby has a fever or vomiting, most likely the disease progresses rapidly - cerebral edema occurred . Often hemolytic-uremic syndrome is supplemented by pale skin of the child, in rare cases with small rashes.

uremic syndrome
Diagnosis

To confirm such a diagnosis as hemolytic uremic syndrome, it is necessary to pass a number of tests, including a complete blood test. Only after a full examination of the patient can we talk about further therapy.

Modern treatments

More recently, mortality with this diagnosis was very high (from 80 to 100%). However, scientists are constantly looking for a solution to this problem. So, devices called “artificial kidney” were created, thanks to which the situation has radically changed. Today, deaths are almost never found (from two to ten percent). They are possible only with the late detection of the disease, as well as with the development of irreversible processes in the brain due to its edema. Note that such a diagnosis as atypical hemolytic-uremic syndrome, as a rule, requires from 2 to 9 sessions (daily) on an "artificial kidney" apparatus. Through this dialysis, specialists can maintain normal metabolite counts, as well as prevent cerebral edema.

atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome

Forecast

Modern methods allow kids to cope with this problem. However, this is possible only if the ailment was discovered at a very early stage. Otherwise, the probability of fully recovering is somewhat lower. According to experts, in the absence of a positive reaction from the body after 2-3 sessions of hemodialysis, the prognoses are very unfavorable.


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